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We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
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Mike Pompeo attacks WHO in private meeting during UK visit

//The US secretary of state Mike Pompeo launched an extraordinary attack on the World Health Organization during a private meeting in the UK, accusing it of being in the pocket of China and responsible for ā€œdead Britonsā€ who passed away during the pandemic.

//Pompeo told those present that he believed the WHO was ā€œpolitical not a science-based organisationā€ and accused its current director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of being too close to Beijing.

//a spokesperson for the organisation said: ā€œWHO is not aware of any such statement but we strongly reject any ad hominem attacks and unfounded allegations. WHO urges countries to remain focused on tackling the pandemic that is causing tragic loss of life and suffering.ā€


//The secretary of state also indicated that he was ā€œconfident that the intelligence has been sharedā€ with the UK on the persecution of the Uighur Muslims in China that would allow the UK to implement sanctions against Chinese communist party officials

//Johnson and Pompeo also talked about how the US and the UK could cooperate on developing next generation technologies, to avoid a situation where a Chinese state-owned company such as Huawei achieves market dominance.

//the secretary of state praised the UK governmentā€™s decision to remove Huawei from the UKā€™s 5G network, as he urged like-minded countries to ā€œpush backā€ against the actions of Beijing

//The UK government had announced last week it would drive out the Chinese provider from the 5G network by 2027.

//Washington has also imposed sanctions on high-level Chinese officials over human rights abuses against the Muslim minority Uighur people in the western region of Xinjiang.

//Chinaā€™s ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, defended his countryā€™s human rights record on Sunday, insisting the Uighur people live in ā€œpeaceful and harmonious coexistence with other ethnic groupsā€, as he was confronted with footage of shackled prisoners being herded on to trains.


Full Article:The Guadian (21-Jul)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/21/mike-pompeo-attacks-who-in-private-meeting-during-uk-visit

Video:
https://twitter.com/BBCPolitics/status/1284784810200838145?s=09

#UK #US #WHO #Pandemic
#China #HumanRight
On 7/21, a cross-party group of 17 MPs sent an open letter to the Canadian Prime Minister urging for sanctions

With substantial evidence of human rights abuse in Hong Kong, momentum is building for Magnitsky sanctions against the perpetrators of human rights abuses in China and Hong Kong. A cross-party group of 17 Members of the Canadian Parliament has sent a letter to urge the Prime Minister to urgently consider the imposition of targeted financial sanctions against Hong Kong/Chinese officials under the Justice for the Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act in light of the violation of human rights, the principles of fundamental justice, and of the rule of law in relation to the National Security Law in Hong Kong. In fact, this is not the first time Canadian PMs ask the Government to raise concerns about the condemning the National Security Law.

We hope that more countries will stand with Hong Kong and give a hand in solidarity against human rights abuses with targeted sanctions.

Source:
https://www.hongkongwatch.org/all-posts/2020/7/21/breaking-on-721-a-cross-party-group-of-17-mps-sent-an-open-letter-to-the-canadian-prime-minister-urging-for-sanctions

#HongKongWatch #Canada
#Sanctions #HumanRight #NationalSevurityLaw
New Zealand speaks out for human rights in China

In a speech to the Chinese business community in New Zealand, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks out against the treatment of Uighur Muslims in China, a controversial Hong Kong security law, and Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization (WHO).

Ardern has been urged by Human Rights Watch to condemn China's "re-education camps" as about two million Muslims have been indefinitely detained in China's northwest Xinjiang region. And now she raises the issue up again to give China a warning that ā€œthe world is watching and do not try to conceal thatā€.

In spite of the fact that many reports and eyewitness accounts have revealed that China has been persecuting the Uighurs in Xinjiang and reducing their population by forced sterilisation, Chinaā€™s ambassador Liu Xiaoming, in a BBC interview, argued that the Xinjiang concentration camps shown in drone footage were "fake", he also stated that there is no general policy of forced sterilisation in Xinjiang.

Chinese government's fabricated stories have been disproved by facts, so who are they trying to deceive?

Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announces that New Zealand's relationship with Hong Kong would be reviewed after China passed a security law that allows for extradition to mainland China.

Hong Kong's new national security law opens the door for prosecution of both Hong Kong people and foreigners for crimes such as subversion of the government, or harming China.

Given the new law in Hong Kong also has a "direct impact" on New Zealanders, New Zealand government's reaction should not be misconstrued as interfering with Hong Kong's affairs.

Since the promulgation of Hong Kong's national security law, more and more countries have started to reconsider the relationship, including that of trading, with Hong Kong. As a result, the economy of Hong Kong has been deteriorating rapidly and this has a direct impact on the economy and reputation of China. Thus, isn't it a smart move for the Chinese government to moderate its stance on social and national security in order not to cause public outrage?


Source:
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/jacinda-ardern-speaks-out-against-hong-kong-security-law-treatment-of-uighurs-in-speech-to-chinese-community.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-53463242/china-s-ambassador-challenged-on-treatment-of-uighurs

#NewZealand #China #HumanRight #HongKong #Uyghurs
What is it about the phrase ā€œFree Hong Kongā€ that prevented NBA from customising it onto a shirt?
Answer is simple: RMB matters more than human rights.


#NBA #MoneyMatters #HumanRight #China
#FreeHongKong
Companies should pay attention to their supply chains: Face masks made with allegedly forced Uighur labour are sold overseas

As Australia stockpiling masks from China for its skyrocketing demands, experts discovered allegedly coerced Uighur labour in the supply chain.

A thinktank report from earlier this year revealed involvement of factories in programs of forced Uighur labour. The programs were said to be a ā€œpoverty alleviationā€ policy, yet in fact ā€œinextricably linked to broader, coercive policies intended to erase the Uighur identity itself.ā€

These programs include shipping Uighurs thousands of miles away from their homes, mandatory ā€œideological trainingā€, forced participation in flag-raising and anthem-singing ceremonies, learning Mandarin, and living and eating on-site in separate dormitories and a canteen.
All of the activities are under the supervisions of "minders" along with constant surveillance, banning of religious observance, and limited freedom of movement.

China has made auditing of human rights extremely difficult for Western companies and nearly impossible for consumers. Experts recommend companies to conduct desktop-based investigation to ensure their supply chains are not tainted by factories using forced Uighur labour.


Source:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/22/face-masks-made-with-allegedly-forced-uighur-labour-in-china-are-being-sold-in-australia

#Australia #Mask #China
#UighurLabour #HumanRight
#HumanRight #Uyghur #China

Uyghurs for sale: Policy Brief Report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI)

More than 80,000 Uyghurs were transferred to work in factories across China, some sent directly from detention camps. Chinaā€™s social re-engineering campaign targeting minority citizens hasnā€™t ceased, but rather, it grows expeditiously. Under conditions suggesting forced labour, Uyghurs are working in factories that supply at least 82 well-known global brands in technology, clothing, and automotive sectors; this includes Apple, BMW, Gap, Huawei, Nike, Samsung, Sony, and Volkswagen. The full list can be found in P.31-39.

Re-education camps
Re-education camps first aroused attention in 2017. Millions of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim minorities have disappeared into a vast network of ā€˜re-education campsā€™ in Xinjiang. Inside the camps, detainees are subjected to political indoctrination, forced to renounce their religion and culture, and subjected to torture.

The new phase
Government officials now claim that the ā€˜traineesā€™ have ā€˜graduatedā€™ to being forced to work in factories. Local governments and private brokers are paid a price per head by the Xinjiang provincial government to organise the labour assignments. This is literally human trafficking. It is nearly impossible for workers to refuse or escape. They are under constant surveillance, isolated, and subjected to arbitrary detention and threats against their family members.

Every purchase makes a difference
Foreign governments, businesses, and civil society groups should act now.
As a consumer, your purchase casts your vote. Be aware of the companies involved. Push brands to be more transparent about the make-up of their supply chains. Demand companies to make new public commitments, uphold current commitments, and to not use forced and coerced labour. Geographic barriers do not hinder you from stopping the trend.

Highlighted sections in the report:
https://www.aspi.org.au/report/uyghurs-sale

P.8 Case Study 1: Uyghur workers making Nike sneakers in Qingdao
P.18 Case Study 2: From ā€˜re-education campsā€™ to forced labour assignments
P.21 Case Study 3: ā€˜Re-educatingā€™ Uyghur workers in Appleā€™s supply chain
P.31-39 International brands supplied by involved factories

Further reading:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-23/video-uyghurs-shaved-blindfolded-xinjiang-train-station-china/11537628
Pompeo Accused China Eradicating All Faith that Do Not Conform to the Communist Regime on International Religious Freedom Day

On the International Religious Freedom Day on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticised China, Iran, and North Korea as the most seriously prosecuted countries in the world for religious freedom. He added that the three countries increased the restriction upon its people, especially for Beijing trying to eradicate all faith that violates the communist regime.

Pompeo in a statement mentioned the International Religious Freedom Act taking into effect 22 years ago on October 27, reiterating the promise on the promotion and the defence on the religious rights of everyone in the world. Pompeo stated that the US government has long been respectful the freedom of lifestyle regardless of their religion, dating back to the visions of the founding fathers of the US. He emphasised, religious and human dignity issues are of the core of US diplomatic relations, for now, and in the future.

Pompeo named China, Iran, and North Korea as three of the worst countries in the world, in terms of religious rights. ā€œThese countries are tightening their restriction to suppress their people. Worse still, China is trying to erase every religion not compatible with the communist regime.ā€ He said.

#ReligiousFreedom #CCP #Pompeo #China #HumanRight #NorthKorea #Iran #ReligionEradication

Source: Apple Daily #Oct28

https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201028/Q6MEDFFHKBE6BJNDGMX6XLBC6I/
Taiwan is not invited to WHA and sternly protest, urges WHO to adhere to professional neutrality and ā€œeliminate Chinese political interferenceā€  
 
WHA had a video meeting today (24May). Taiwan is not invited in five consecutive years, however the proposals from 13 diplomatic countries which about inviting Taiwan to participate will be the main focus of the meeting. It was predicted that the diplomatic countries will have ā€œtwo versus two debatingā€ with China, emphasized the necessity of Taiwan being part of the WHO. Department of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan announced a press release today and indicated, Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie and Minister of Health Chen Shizhong jointly expressed the governmentā€™s serious dissatisfaction in protest, urged the WHO adheres professional neutrality, eliminate Chinese political interference, and let Taiwan join the meetings, systems and activities of WHO based on protecting all humanā€™s well-being and fighting epidemic together.  
 
Chen indicated on press release, this year WHA is still focusing on epidemic situation to build a healthier, safer and fairer world. Taiwanā€™s epidemic is warming up recently, which showing the virus is regardless of borders, even Taiwan cannot stay out. There should be no gap in global epidemic prevention, it needs to share globally all the information and professionally cooperation to fight the epidemic. Chen emphasized, Taiwan has not been invited to participate WHA is not the loss of Taiwan, but also the loss of the whole world. Health is the basic human right and universal value, and WHO as a professional international medical organisation, they should serve the health and well-being of all mankind and should not succumb to the political interests of specific member.  
 
Source: Apple Daily #May24

https://hk.appledaily.com/china/20210524/FIMWCR5K5RF2XC5OQI7O2EUUM4/ 
 
#WHA #WHO #China #Taiwan #Politics #Diplomatic #Intervention #HumanRight #Health #Pandemic #WuhanVirus #Globalisation  
Chinaā€™s Uyghurs living in a ā€˜dystopian hellscapeā€™, says Amnesty report

Amnesty International has collected new evidence of human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region of China, which it says has become a ā€œdystopian hellscapeā€ for hundreds of thousands of Muslims subjected to mass internment and torture.

The human rights organisation has collected more than 50 new accounts from Uyghurs, Kazakhs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities who claim to have been subjected to mass internment and torture in police stations and camps in the region.

Source: The Guardian#Jun10

https://t.co/7zp352CCrM

#China #Uyghur #Xinjiang #Kazakhs #Muslim #HumanRight
AP News: the family members of the dissidents claimed to have been secretly detained by Chinese government in Dubai; may be the first evidence to establish a ā€œblack siteā€ outside of China 
 
AP News reported, Chinese dissidents Wang Jingyuā€™s fiancĆ©e Wu Huan stated, she was arrested by the local police in Dubai, a major city in UAE in June this year. Ans she was jailed in a detention facility which operates by Chinese government. The report stated, this could be the first evidence to prove China has operating ā€œBlack Siteā€ outside the country, which reflected that China will arrest dissidents and minority overseas.  
 
According to The Voice of Germany, Wu Huanā€™s fiancĆ© Wang Jingyu was persecuted by police as he supports Hong Kong protest in 2019. Wang who was 17, was being sent oversea for security. Wang questioned the Chinese official media about the authenticity of reports on deaths and injuries in the Sino-Indian conflict in February this year, and criticized the CCP, which caused the wanted by Chinese police.  
 
Source: Stand News #Aug17

https://bit.ly/3mKap4N

#China #Dubai #DetentionCamp #CCP #Dissidents #BlackSite #HongKongProtest #HumanRight #Arrest